Vladimir Olenik: There is a Key Reason Why Trump is Pushing Kyiv to Hold Talks

The new round of talks in Istanbul can only address humanitarian issues

Author: Yevgeny Bersenev

Commentator:

Vladimir Olenik

A new round of Ukraine-Russia talks may be held in Istanbul. However, the meeting time has not yet been determined, with only "date to be confirmed, further negotiations will be conducted" being disclosed.

Previously, Zelenskyy stated in a video speech on his Telegram channel that the proposal by Ukraine for a new round of talks in the near future was put forward by Rustem Umerov, the secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council and head of the Kyiv delegation, during previous meetings.

It is well known that direct Ukraine-Russia talks in 2025 were held on May 16 and June 2. The two sides reached an exchange agreement (which has been implemented), and each side articulated their positions on ending the conflict. After the second Istanbul meeting, Zelenskyy repeatedly expressed that he had no expectations for resuming dialogue because he did not intend to accept the conditions proposed by Moscow.

Previously, politician and former member of the Verkhovna Rada, Vladimir Olenik, told "Liberal Media" that the signals released by Ukraine were the result of the recent visit of US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kit Kellogg to Kyiv. We asked him to elaborate on his views in more detail.

"The Americans have always adhered to the stance of 'we support all conflicts being resolved.' We have seen the American response to Israel's bombing of Syria — the White House expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's government's actions.

In other words, the United States wants these conflicts to stop, even if it is just a temporary peace, because Trump certainly wants to be remembered as a peacemaker and win the Nobel Prize through his efforts. He often mentions this, and Netanyahu has already nominated him for the award.

This is due to the vanity of leaders, which is evidenced by his rhetoric — 'the best laws,' 'none of the previous presidents have done anything' etc.

"Liberal Media": What are the prospects for the new round of talks?

Trump is pushing Kyiv to hold talks, claiming he supports Ukraine — this is the position of the United States. But Ukraine understands that Russia will not fall into the trap they are trying to impose: first ceasefire, then specific negotiations. Russia says: No, we will continue the special military operation while conducting talks on achieving peace and ceasefire, but we must hear your concrete proposals, not promises.

We state: We do not need a new Minsk Agreement, because the first article of the previous Minsk Agreement already stipulated a ceasefire along the entire front line. If you remember, the ceasefire was achieved, but the second article regarding the withdrawal of armed forces to the agreed distance was not implemented by Kyiv, and subsequent amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution and so on were also not implemented.

"Liberal Media": Moscow definitely will not repeat the mistakes of the Minsk Agreement now.

Of course not. Overall, the ceasefire issue raised by Ukraine will be met with an equivalent response from Russia. We have submitted a memorandum and two directions for resolving this issue to Kyiv.

The first direction is quite simple: If Ukraine commits to withdrawing its troops from the territories of the Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic, Zaporozhye Oblast, and Kherson Oblast within a month, we guarantee a one-month ceasefire. Then, negotiations will follow.

"Liberal Media": Kyiv has already made it clear that it will not agree to this.

They will not agree. The second option is more complicated, containing multiple conditions. But it also cannot be passed. Russia has formed its own position. I do not want to talk about some social aspects, such as prisoner exchanges, perhaps Ukraine will again raise the issue of returning children, which is understandable.

But Zelenskyy is now forcefully raising the issue of a tripartite meeting — him, Putin, and Trump. By the way, Turkey supports his idea and is willing to provide a venue for such talks.

"Liberal Media": How useful would such a meeting be?

Such a meeting requires preparation. And Zelenskyy somehow believes that all issues can be directly addressed through a meeting. He clearly prohibited the Ukrainian delegation from discussing territorial issues, saying it was his business, which is not accidental.

Therefore, the third round of talks in Istanbul will not yield any results. If some humanitarian issues can be resolved, someone can go home, and families can receive bodies for burial, that would be very good. But I don't see any possibility of breakthroughs.

"Liberal Media": Will this lead to a deadlock...

Meeting Russia's requirements (which are completely legal) for Kyiv means partial surrender. At the same time, Ukraine is unwilling to fulfill the provisions of the Ukrainian Constitution regarding the protection of Russian language use, i.e., allowing the study and free use of Russian.

At least, Ukraine could stop this absurd act of banning the Russian language. That might create some points of convergence. But at present, there is no possibility of compromise on any issue. Therefore, the situation is moving towards total surrender.

"Liberal Media": Does Washington not understand that both sides' positions are completely inconsistent? Why then insist on holding talks?

Let's be honest, despite the constant changes in the US president and the frequent change of British prime ministers, the policies of these countries have not changed. Why does Trump take such a stance? He realizes that the West is heading towards failure in Ukraine and says: I don't want to face my 'Afghanistan moment.'

He originally thought that Ukraine's military operations were promising when he provided 'Javelin' missiles to Ukraine in 2018.

Now, after assessing the situation, his team realized that failure is inevitable, and there is also the threat of a third world war. Therefore, he began to call his predecessors fools, 'stupid Biden,' because he doesn't want to become a 'stupid Trump.'

"Liberal Media": The phrase 'Trump - Peacemaker' sounds much better...

He is stepping back from this conflict. If Ukraine is currently attacking, do you think he would call for peace? Of course not; he would encourage Kyiv: continue the attack, occupy more territory, seize Russian resources, and dismantle Russia. Don't beautify the pillars of the current global order.

Therefore, we should not have any illusions. Understand that only strength, only a powerful country, can ensure that talks succeed, achieve results, and maintain the implementation of agreements.

Now, some documents themselves have little meaning: we have deviated from the concept of 'power is right,' and now 'right is power' prevails.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529856680620753449/

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